24 CUCKOOS AND KINGFISHERS 



The stomachs examined contained remains of sixty-five 

 species of insects, in the following percentages: beetles, 6; 

 bugs, 6H; grasshoppers, 30; caterpillars, 48H; other insects, 

 such as web-worms, tussock-moths, army-w T orms and moth 

 larvae, 9. 



From the results of this investigation it is clear that our 

 two species of Cuckoo are to be numbered with the farmers' 

 best friends among birds. As an estimate, I should say that 

 each of these birds that enters a section devoted to farming 

 and fruit-growing is worth to that section about $10 per 

 season. The charge that Cuckoos devour the eggs, or egg- 

 shells, of other birds was proven by the finding of shells "in 

 several stomachs, but only in very small quantities — no more 

 than was found in the stomachs of nearly every species that 

 has been examined." Thus the offence charged proves to be 

 too trivial to consider. 



The Yellow-Billed Cuckoo inhabits the eastern half of the 

 United States to the Great Plains, and the Black-Billed 

 ranges westward to the Rocky Mountains, from Canada to 

 the tropics. From the Rockies to the Pacific, and up to Brit- 

 ish Columbia, is found the California Cuckoo, a close counter- 

 part of the Yellow-Billed species. 



The Road-Runner, or Chaparral Cock, 1 is a very 

 strange bird; and many strange "yarns" have been told of 

 it. It is remarkably odd in form, and also in its habits. It 

 is about the size of a small crow, with a tail as long as its en- 

 tire body and head, and legs that are so long and strong they 

 seem like those of a grouse, save that the toes are longer. 



1 Ge-o-coc'cyx cal-i-for-ni-an'us. Length, 2\ to 23 inches. 



